“Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks

“Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks first appeared in 1984 in the journal Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. In this groundbreaking essay, hooks argues that true sisterhood is not merely a biological connection or a shared experience of oppression but a conscious political commitment to dismantling sexism. She emphasizes the importance of building solidarity across racial, class, and sexual orientations, challenging the notion that women are inherently divided by their differences. This essay has had a profound impact on feminist theory, inspiring countless activists and scholars to rethink the nature of women’s relationships and the strategies for achieving gender equality.

Summary of “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks

1. Sisterhood and False Unity: The concept of Sisterhood within the feminist movement has often been built on superficial solidarity. Hooks critiques how early feminists avoided conflict and criticism to maintain an illusion of unity, which suppressed underlying competition and hostility. “Their version of Sisterhood dictated that sisters were to ‘unconditionally’ love one another; that they were to avoid conflict and minimize disagreement.”
2. Exclusivity and Classism in Feminism: Sisterhood, as practiced by many groups, excluded women from different classes and races. Hooks highlights how bonding within feminist groups was often based on exclusion and devaluation of those outside. “Bonding between a chosen circle of women who strengthen their ties by excluding and devaluing women outside their group closely resembles the type of personal bonding between women that has always occurred under patriarchy.”
3. Need for Political Solidarity: Hooks calls for a shift from bonding over shared victimization to political commitment aimed at ending sexist oppression. Political solidarity should not be based on a simplistic view of gender relations. “We can bond on the basis of our political commitment to a feminist movement that aims to end sexist oppression.”
4. Sexism Among Women: Women’s behavior towards one another is often shaped by internalized sexism, leading to competition, suspicion, and defensiveness. “Between women, male supremacist values are expressed through suspicious, defensive, competitive behavior.”
5. Racism as a Barrier to Solidarity: Hooks argues that racism within the feminist movement remains a major barrier to unity. White women often failed to acknowledge the discrimination faced by women of color, and feminist movements frequently sidelined the needs of non-white women. “Racism allows white women to construct feminist theory and praxis in such a way that it is far removed from anything resembling radical struggle.”
6. Class Privilege in Feminism: Feminism has historically ignored the importance of class struggle, and feminist movements were often shaped by the needs of upwardly mobile white women, leaving poor and working-class women marginalized. “To build Sisterhood, women must criticize and repudiate class exploitation.”
7. Cultural Differences and Feminist Unity: Hooks emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting cultural differences within feminist spaces to foster true solidarity. Misunderstandings between women from different backgrounds often arise due to unrecognized cultural codes. “By sharing this cultural code, we created an atmosphere in the classroom that allowed for different communication patterns.”
8. Criticism and Self-Criticism: Hooks stresses the value of constructive criticism and self-criticism within feminist movements as a means to grow and strengthen solidarity. Differences should not be erased but rather harnessed to advance collective goals. “Criticism and self-criticism is the way in which individuals united by common goals can consciously utilize their differences and limitations.”
9. The Path to True Solidarity: True solidarity between women, according to Hooks, requires an ongoing commitment to shared goals and political struggles, rather than temporary or superficial support. “Solidarity requires sustained, ongoing commitment… Support can be occasional. It can be given and just as easily withdrawn.”

Literary Terms/Concepts in “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks

Literary Term/Concept	Definition	Application in the Text
Sisterhood	A feminist concept emphasizing unity and solidarity among women.	Hooks critiques the superficial and exclusionary nature of Sisterhood as practiced by many feminists, especially how it was informed by racist and classist assumptions.
Solidarity	Unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest.	Hooks argues that feminist solidarity should be built on shared political goals to end sexist oppression, rather than on victimization or exclusion.
Classism	Prejudice or discrimination based on social class.	Hooks highlights how classism within the feminist movement creates divisions, with working-class and poor women being marginalized.
Sexism	Discrimination based on gender, especially against women.	Hooks examines how internalized sexism leads to competition and defensiveness among women, weakening feminist unity.
Racism	Discrimination or prejudice based on race.	Racism within the feminist movement is a key barrier to solidarity between women, as white feminists often ignore or marginalize the experiences of women of color.
Patriarchy	A social system where men hold primary power.	Hooks critiques how the feminist movement, while opposing patriarchy, often replicates patriarchal behaviors through competition and exclusion among women.
Intersectionality	A framework for understanding how various forms of inequality (such as race, gender, and class) intersect.	Hooks emphasizes the intersection of racism, sexism, and classism, and argues for a feminist theory that addresses these interconnected forms of oppression.
Political Commitment	A dedication to a cause or set of political beliefs.	Hooks calls for feminist solidarity to be based on political commitment to ending sexist oppression, rather than on shared victimization or identity.
Internalized Oppression	When members of marginalized groups adopt the beliefs and behaviors of the dominant group.	Hooks discusses how women, through internalized sexism and racism, replicate the oppressions of patriarchy and white supremacy in their relationships with each other.

Contribution of “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks to Literary Theory/Theories

Examples of Critiques Through “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks

Literary Work	Critique through Hooks’ Theory of Sisterhood	Relevant Concept from Hooks
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir	While de Beauvoir provides a comprehensive analysis of women’s oppression, Hooks would critique the work for its lack of attention to the intersection of race and class within feminism. Hooks would argue that de Beauvoir’s focus on the experiences of middle-class, white women does not account for the struggles of women of color or working-class women.	Intersectionality: “We must bond on the basis of our political commitment to a feminist movement that aims to end sexist oppression.”
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan	Hooks would critique Friedan’s work for centering the experiences of suburban, white, middle-class women, ignoring the specific struggles of women of color and working-class women. Friedan’s emphasis on the dissatisfaction of housewives is viewed by Hooks as a limited perspective that fails to acknowledge how women of different races and classes experience oppression differently.	Racism and Classism in Feminism: “White women often fail to acknowledge that racist discrimination, exploitation, and oppression… make it impossible for the two groups to feel they share common interests.”
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf	Woolf’s call for financial independence and personal space for women writers is important, but Hooks would argue that it reflects a bourgeois perspective, ignoring the material realities faced by poor and working-class women who cannot afford such luxuries. Hooks would point out the exclusion of non-white women from Woolf’s vision of feminist progress.	Classism: “To build Sisterhood, women must criticize and repudiate class exploitation.”
Ain’t I a Woman? by Sojourner Truth	Hooks would praise this work for centering the experiences of black women, but also use it to highlight how mainstream feminist movements have historically marginalized voices like Truth’s. She would argue that Truth’s speech reflects the need for intersectional feminism that addresses both race and gender simultaneously, a theme Hooks emphasizes throughout her work.	Intersectional Feminism: “Feminist theory would have much to offer if it showed women ways in which racism and sexism are immutably connected.”

Criticism Against “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks

1. Overemphasis on Racial and Class Divisions: Critics argue that Hooks’ focus on race and class divisions within feminism might overshadow the common struggles women face against patriarchy, leading to further fragmentation rather than unity.
2. Idealistic Vision of Political Solidarity: Some believe Hooks’ call for political solidarity based on shared commitment to ending sexism is overly idealistic and difficult to achieve in practice, especially given the deep-rooted differences in experiences among women from various backgrounds.
3. Lack of Practical Solutions for Unity: While Hooks effectively critiques the problems within the feminist movement, some critics feel that her work lacks concrete, actionable strategies for overcoming the divisions she highlights, particularly when it comes to bridging the gaps between race and class.
4. Criticism of White Feminists May Alienate Potential Allies: Some argue that Hooks’ critique of white feminists’ role in perpetuating racism and classism might alienate them from engaging in the broader feminist movement, potentially hindering efforts at building solidarity.
5. Simplification of Feminist History: Hooks has been critiqued for simplifying the history of feminism, especially in terms of the contributions of early feminist leaders. Her focus on exclusion and privilege may overlook the complexities and varied contributions of early feminist movements.

Representative Quotations from “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“Their version of Sisterhood was informed by racist and classist assumptions about white womanhood.”	Hooks critiques how early feminist notions of Sisterhood were exclusionary, built on the experiences of white, middle-class women, and ignored the needs of others.
“We must bond on the basis of our political commitment to a feminist movement that aims to end sexist oppression.”	Hooks emphasizes that feminist solidarity should focus on shared political goals rather than superficial or identity-based alliances.
“Between women, male supremacist values are expressed through suspicious, defensive, competitive behavior.”	Hooks identifies how internalized sexism leads to harmful interactions between women, which undermines true feminist solidarity.
“White women often fail to acknowledge that racist discrimination, exploitation, and oppression make it impossible for the two groups to feel they share common interests.”	Hooks critiques white feminists for failing to recognize the unique struggles of women of color, which hinders the development of solidarity.
“To build Sisterhood, women must criticize and repudiate class exploitation.”	Hooks stresses that classism within feminism needs to be addressed if the movement is to create true unity among all women.
“Women of color must confront our absorption of white supremacist beliefs, ‘internalized racism,’ which may lead us to feel self-hate.”	Hooks discusses the concept of internalized racism and how it affects women of color, calling for an examination of internalized prejudices.
“We do not need to share common oppression to fight equally to end oppression.”	Hooks argues that women do not need to experience the same forms of oppression to work together to end all forms of oppression.
“Acknowledgement of racism is significant when it leads to transformation.”	Hooks critiques the superficial recognition of racism in feminist circles and calls for meaningful action and change to address racial oppression.
“Solidarity requires sustained, ongoing commitment.”	Hooks differentiates between temporary support and true solidarity, highlighting that solidarity is built on a long-term commitment to shared goals.
“Criticism and self-criticism is the way in which individuals united by common goals can consciously utilize their differences and limitations.”	Hooks advocates for the constructive use of criticism within feminist movements to foster growth and unity, rather than avoid conflict.

Suggested Readings: “Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Between Women” by bell hooks

1. Davis, Angela Y. Women, Race & Class. Vintage Books, 1981.
2. Collins, Patricia Hill. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge, 2000. https://www.routledge.com/Black-Feminist-Thought-Knowledge-Consciousness-and-the-Politics-of-Empowerment/Collins/p/book/9780415964722
3. Crenshaw, Kimberlé. On Intersectionality: Essential Writings. The New Press, 2019.
4. Moraga, Cherríe, and Gloria Anzaldúa, editors. This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color. SUNY Press, 2015.
5. Mohanty, Chandra Talpade. Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity. Duke University Press, 2003.  
6. Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. Ten Speed Press, 2007.
7. Alexander-Floyd, Nikol G. “Disappearing Acts: Reclaiming Intersectionality in the Social Sciences in a Post-Black Feminist Era.” Feminist Formations, vol. 24, no. 1, 2012, pp. 1-25.
8. hooks, bell. Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. South End Press, 1984.
   https://www.routledge.com/Feminist-Theory-From-Margin-to-Center/hooks/p/book/9781138821514
9. Bambara, Toni Cade, editor. The Black Woman: An Anthology. Washington Square Press, 2005. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Black-Woman/Toni-Cade-Bambara/9780679737452
10. The Combahee River Collective. “A Black Feminist Statement.” 1977. https://americanstudies.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Keyword%20Coalition_Readings.pdf